Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1887-08-03
] Ths Weekly InteIlgsnoer
Gbe fanraster JntelliQeufer.
LANCASTER, L AUGUST 8. 1857.
Next nonth's Centennial.

Next nonth's Centennial.
OF all the centennial celebrations that
have been 30 much in vogue during the
pet fifteen years In this country, none has
had litter theme for popular interest and
demonstration than the commemoration Of
TIE adoption of the federal constitution,
which Is to take place in Philadelphia next
month with pomp and ceremony. The
blossoming of our century plant in that
city in 1876 was great epoch in the life Of
ehe people. The Fourth Of July, q hun
dred years after the Declaration, was
chosen with discernment and just appre-
citation for the elimination of that celebra-
ton; and from both q moral and an
economic view the great centennial y
justified the plans of its projectors and the
enthusiasm Of the people OF the whole
country. 1t aroused and stimulated pa
tri0tic sentiment; it subdued sectional
estrangement; it quickened the finer tastes,
and It was at once an exposition Of the ma.
terial interests Of the country and an aid
TO their development, such as years of
ordinary progress would not have pro-
duced.
It b to be remembered, however, that
The determination of the colonies to he free
dos not mark the actual beginning of our
nationality; nor yet the achievement of
triumph by arms of the Revolutionary
forces; neither was the resulting fedora
ton Of states the bond of that permanent
union, under the bene0cent operations of
which this country has become the wonder
of the world. The marvel of our early
statesmanship-the crowning work Of the
wise and good men who seem to have
abounded in that period, when there was
comparative paucity Of population-was
the making Of the federal constitution,
that instrument which the loftiest English
criticism has declared to be "the most
wonderful work ever struck off at given
time by the brain and purpose Of man."
With our vast incsease Of population ant
magical changes in other elements of EN-
pire; and amid the shifting tides of poll
tical thought that have submerged som'
great powers and shaken all the world :.
governments in the past hundred years
our constitution has endured with slight
changes, few amendments and constantly
increasing ratification; the judgment Of the
people of the country is to-day better set
tied rs to its proper construction than a,
any previous period in its history.
These considerations should move a
lively interest in the events of its cen.
tennial celebration, now so near at hand
To the people Of Pennsylvania they have a
closer and more immediate concern than
to those of any other state. The conven.
tiOn met in our metropolis its serious
work was fully accomplished there, and
through the streets Of that city moved the
brilliant pageant, the greatest of its day
with which the representatives OF all thu
forces of the young republic celebrated thu
greater victories of peace and Of self
government. Few of those whom W,
honor for their part In the struggle tOwaI,
freedom from the parent country wsr
missing from the council which reaped tn
bet fruits of the victory Washington
Adams, jefferson, Hamilton and Madison
Were among the leaders in the new civi
triumph and to the best thought ant
most powerful influences of the da.
Pennsylvania contributed our match
less Franklin, the Morrises, Dickinson
4ifllin, Mexican, Clymer, Rush, Gallatin
lngersOll and James Wilson, an illustriOu
man whose eminent services to the cOun
try and to his commonwealth have beer
too often forgotten. Bancroft speaks 0
the final accomplishment of the event, tn
circumstances of 1t and of Pennsylvania
part in it as one more great duty to hi
fellow. citizens and to mankind fulfilled b.
franklin, one more honor won by Phila
dslphia as the home of the union, one new
victory by Pennsylvania as the citadel O
the love Of the one indivisible country.
Surely there is much in these recollection
to awaken the pride and quicken the inter
est Of Pennsylvanians, as citizens at once OF
the state and Of the union. Their duties
and their relations cannot be better studied
than In retrospect of that period.